Former Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono Passes Away

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Indonesian Defense Minister during the administration of Abdurrahman Wahid and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Juwono Sudarsono, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The Head of Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, confirmed the news when contacted by Tempo. Rico stated that the United Indonesia Cabinet Defense Minister passed away at the age of 84 at 13.45 local time in Pondok Indah Infectious Diseases Hospital, Jakarta.

"Innalillahi wa innailaihi rojiun, Prof. Dr. Juwono Sudarsono has passed away," said Rico to Tempo on March 28, 2026.

Rico mentioned that the late will be buried in the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, South Jakarta, on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

However, the cause of Juwono's death is still unknown, as is whether he was undergoing medical treatment prior to his passing.

As cited from the Ministry of Defense website, Juwono Sudarsono served as defense minister from the civilian ranks from 1999 to 2000, until he was replaced by Mahfud Md. on August 26, 2000. He served until August 14, 2001.

In the United Indonesia Cabinet Chapter I period from October 29, 2004, to October 26, 2009, under the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Juwono Sudarsono was reinstated as the Indonesian Defense Minister. During Juwono's tenure, the Ministry of Defense proposed several draft laws related to defense matters and submitted them to the House of Representatives. The draft regulations included the Reserve Component Bill, National Security Bill, State Secret Bill, Military Judiciary Bill, and Veteran Bill.

Juwono also served as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the United Kingdom until 2004. Juwono was also one of the figures who initiated the establishment of the Defense University.

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